Season › 2014-15 › News Martinez upbeat on Mirallas and Osman's fitness Lyndon Lloyd , 18 December, 41comments | Jump to most recent Everton have been boosted by the news that Kevin Mirallas has not sustained any significant damage to his ankle and should be fit for the Festive programme, while Roberto Martinez has played down reports that Leon Osman might need surgery on a foot injury. Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of the trip to Southampton this weekend, the manager said that Mirallas had sustained the "least damage to his ankle that could be" when he was fouled by Jordan Mutch during Monday's win over Queens Park Rangers. He will not play at St Mary's on Saturday, though, due to a likely sprain that will need a few days to fully heal. Osman, meanwhile, is "progressing day by day" according to Martinez and will not need an operation. James McCarthy and Darron Gibson, meanwhile, have been given a 50% chance of being fit enough to face the Saints. The Irish duo have been struggling with hamstring and knee injuries respectively and have missed the last few weeks. Reader Comments (41) Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer Jeff Beaumont 1 Posted 18/12/2014 at 18:24:53 Soton apparently without Tadic & possibly Palle. Ajay Timothy 2 Posted 18/12/2014 at 18:27:12 Going to be a tough game. I remember the days when playing Southampton used to be an easy game either home or away. The 8 - 0 springs to mind from many years ago. Paul Ferry 3 Posted 18/12/2014 at 18:48:09 Wanyana, Schneiderlin, and Gardos all picked up yellows against Sheff-Utd on Tuesday and all will be banned on Saturday for hitting five cards. Trevor Lynes 4 Posted 18/12/2014 at 18:56:10 I am surprised at SouthamptonÂ’s dip in form but they have played three of the top teams and a side in Burnley struggling against relegation.Beware any complacency as they are still a very good footballing team and we will have to be at our best to come away with anything! Andrew Hawes 5 Posted 18/12/2014 at 18:56:53 I would like to see Kone get more game time at Southampton. I have been impressed with his link-up play, he seems to have the ability to beat a man or pick out a pass.ItÂ’s now or never for Gibson over this busy christmas period. If he canÂ’t contribute to the side then maybe in January he needs to be moved on or loaned out. Duncan McDine 6 Posted 18/12/2014 at 19:00:55 The wheels have well and truely fallen off the Southampton steamtrain, so I'd be dissapointed if we came away with anything less than 3 points. COYB Linda Morrison 7 Posted 18/12/2014 at 19:21:11 You see we will get 1 point at Snd 3 against Stoke. Up the league we go Patrick Murphy 8 Posted 18/12/2014 at 19:24:12 Ajay - I know we have a decent record at Goodison against Southampton, but down at St. Mary's not so much, although we did have a decent period in the 80s and early 90s down at The Dell but that followed a long barren period. No easy games in the PL, I would have thought that many would have realised that by now - but it seems that is not the case so we'll stand by for a melt-down on the live-forum over the Christmas and New Year period, but I suppose that could happen even if Everton earn maximum points. Phil Walling 9 Posted 18/12/2014 at 19:20:08 November 1971, Ajay. Royle 4, Johnson 3 and Ball. The last the little man scored for us. Pissed down all afternoon if I remember right. Only highlight of a season we finished 15th and one that really sealed Catterick's fate ! Scott Bosworth 10 Posted 18/12/2014 at 19:34:13 Jeff Beaumont, also missing Schneiderlin and Wanyama for certain. Short-handed for them – we'd better be up for this one, because that's as good of a chance to grab 3 points away to Saints as you'll see. Rob Halligan 11 Posted 18/12/2014 at 19:58:15 If I remember rightly Phil #9, that was also the season we won our one and only away game down at Southampton, 1-0. Patrick Murphy 12 Posted 18/12/2014 at 20:07:43 Rob you are correct 1 away win and only 9 league goals in 21 away matches. 1972 was a very bad year indeed. Rob Halligan 13 Posted 18/12/2014 at 20:14:37 Without checking Patrick, didn't David Johnson score that goal at Southampton? Pretty sure he did. Patrick Murphy 14 Posted 18/12/2014 at 20:18:36 Sorry Rob but I have Mick Buckley as the scorer in that game Patrick Murphy 15 Posted 18/12/2014 at 20:19:45 I meant to include the link from Everton resutlsSaints v Everton 1972 Rob Halligan 16 Posted 18/12/2014 at 20:19:17 I believe you. It was 42 years ago!! I was only 13. Patrick Murphy 17 Posted 18/12/2014 at 20:20:59 We are almost the same age, Rob – but I only knew because I have just submitted a Memory Lane article about it. Rob Halligan 18 Posted 18/12/2014 at 20:26:05 I see Terry Paine missed a pen in that match as well. Could have been an entire season without an away win. Patrick Murphy 19 Posted 18/12/2014 at 20:34:33 I just done a little more digging and that win at Southampton was the first away win in 39 games since they beat Blackpool in 1970. In fact following the 1970 World Cup Everton only won 3 away league games in two complete seasons. 1972-73 saw 4 victories. James Joseph 20 Posted 18/12/2014 at 21:06:11 Rob - Johnson scored in the League cup game at The Dell that same season - we lost 2-1. Mick Buckley's goal was his first for the club, a header from a Kendall cross. Westy saved a penalty from his old mate Jummy Gabriel in the same game. James Joseph 21 Posted 18/12/2014 at 21:20:05 Sorry - Jimmy Gabriel.Terry Paine was only sub that day and Gabriel's miss was in the 18th minute. Phil Walling 22 Posted 18/12/2014 at 21:19:49 Patrick, Rob. I shall celebrate my 59th in January so we are all of a similar age. The question I often ask myself is whether I see my formative years through rose tinted or whether the Catterick 1960s really were that good.Do I need counselling to enable me to enjoy games like Monday night... which we won? Paul Dark 23 Posted 18/12/2014 at 22:20:49 Very good news re Kevin. Patrick Murphy 24 Posted 18/12/2014 at 22:44:08 Phil - I'm sure that those who didn't witness the 60s would give quite a lot money to be transported back to watch Everton during that era - those of us who just missed it and had to endure the stuff of the 70s - even though it was quite entertaining - sometimes in a perverse way - would certainly be happy to attend Goodison and follow the team away during the 60s but we are also lucky enough to have seen that Everton team of the 80s. The people I feel sorry for are the Evertonians who have not seen an excellent Everton team which at least challenges for the League and to be honest without serious money are unlikely to see it in the near future. As for Monday I would suggest it is our age group who are proving to be the most impatient as we are patently running out of time and energy - It is up to the younger support to have the same hunger as we have but to translate it into a positive effort to get behind the team and the manager regardless of their opinion of either - we need to win something and we need to do it soon. Colin Glassar 25 Posted 18/12/2014 at 22:51:58 Growing up in Liverpool in the '60s was indeed exciting Patrick what with the Mersey beat, the Beatles, sex, drugs and rock and roll, flower power, low unemployment, mini skirts etc....and Everton top of the pile in football, it was great.Pity I was only a nipper at the time so I was too young to enjoy all of that (especially the S, D and R&R). But football at GP was dire in the early to mid '70s so consider yourself lucky to have seen the '80s team. Like you, I feel sorry for the poor buggers who have never seen a dominating Everton team. Tony Abrahams 26 Posted 18/12/2014 at 22:51:40 Enjoyed reading all the posts, and even though you're all starting to get on a little bit, what great memories you all have. It's mad how we sometimes can't remember what we did yesterday, but we can all recall some Everton games from years ago, like they were played yesterday!I was lucky enough to see the eighties team Patrick and had only been going the match for nine years when we beat Watford to win The Cup. Some people have been going nineteen years and seen us win nothing. If these same fans have stuck to Everton all these years then I suggest entertainment and love for our club, must rank as high as success. Otherwise the near silence from the crowd would be because everyone had long gone, rather than out of the boredom we are currently watching.Better to boo, and voice your dissatisfaction, rather than vote with your feet and stay away, I think. I Honestly think that most of the frustration is coming from the fact that we all know we have got a very good team at the minute. One that with a little bit of luck is more than capable of ending the most barren spell in Everton's fine history. Maybe the Booing, despite the game being won, might make the manager finally let his team off the leash. If the three "Worst Footballers" in the team play in goal, or are central defenders, why do we continuesly pass the ball backwards? Play forward, and attack – it's what we really go the match to watch. Surely? Rob Halligan 27 Posted 18/12/2014 at 23:28:46 During the '70s I think we came close a few times to winning the league, league cup or FA Cup Colin. It was only the very early '70s which was tedious stuff. During the boom time '80s I was playing Saturday football but still managed to see a few games. Harold Matthews 28 Posted 18/12/2014 at 23:37:16 Can't stand the "All our yesterdays" stuff. After living through three kings and a queen I've had enough of the past and would like to read comments on the important matches coming up. Ray Roche 30 Posted 18/12/2014 at 23:59:51 Harold, a bit of nostalgia never hurt anyone. I can remember some matches from the 1960's like it was yesterday, but I can't remember what I had for my tea... Colin Glassar 31 Posted 19/12/2014 at 00:16:59 Which kings were they, Harold? Edward the confessor, Harold and William the conqueror? Matilda must've been the queen I suppose. Phil Walling 32 Posted 19/12/2014 at 00:22:29 Harold's claim to longevity is impressive until you come to realise that in 1937, Britain had 'three kings' over a matter of months. Now if he had said he actually saw Everton's two kings play – Dean and Lawton – I'd begin to take him seriously!Only kidding old timer! Harold Matthews 33 Posted 19/12/2014 at 01:42:07 Well done Phil. I'm a '35 lad and I once touched Mr Dean's suit with my fingertips when I sat behind him on the number10 bus over on the Wirral. Must have been an amazing player but my grandad used to rave about the guy who provided most of the assists. Can never remember his name.You've got me at it now. All our yesterdays. Holy mackerel. Neil Davies 34 Posted 19/12/2014 at 02:11:00 Must add my twopenceworth about that Southampton game in 71. It was my first game that I went to on my own aged 12 and my memory of it was that it was snowing heavily with a strong wind blowing from the park end, a blizzard really.Because it was snowing it was one of those pitches where they just scrape away the snow from the lines and leave the rest on the pitch. Orange ball job.The only goal I remember was Alan Ball's. He picked up the ball deep in our half and ran the whole lenght of the pitch to score a great goal.It was a pity there were no cameras there as there were the next week when Southampton lost 5-2 at home to Manure and the folling week when they lost 7-0 to Don Revies Leed which meant that in 3 games they let in 20 goals. Must be a record for top flight football. Minik Hansen 35 Posted 19/12/2014 at 03:05:26 God heard my prayer about Mirallas! ;) :D Be careful what you wish for, no more for now! Tony Abrahams 36 Posted 19/12/2014 at 07:16:24 Funny Phil, I thought Harold was going on about Christmas Carols for a minute there! Tony J Williams 37 Posted 19/12/2014 at 09:29:15 It hasn't got any better of late.Our last however many games at their gaffe. (cut and paste so hope it works)R Martinez 2013-14 Sat Apr 26 2014 Prem A Soton L 0-2D Moyes 2012-13 Mon Jan 21 2013 Prem A Soton D 0-0 D Moyes 2004-05 Sun Feb 6 2005 Prem A Soton D 2-2 (Beattie J, Bent M)D Moyes 2003-04 Sat Feb 21 2004 Prem A Soton D 3-3 (Rooney W 2, Ferguson D)D Moyes 2002-03 Wed Sep 11 2002 Prem A Soton L 0-1D Moyes 2001-02 Sat Apr 20 2002 Prem A Soton W 1-0 (Watson S)W Smith 2000-01 Sat Mar 17 2001 Prem A Soton L 0-1 W Smith 1999-00 Sat Jan 22 2000 Prem A Soton L 0-2W Smith 1998-99 Sun May 16 1999 Prem A Soton L 0-2H Kendall 1997-98 Sat Mar 7 1998 Prem A Soton L 1-2 (Tiler C)J Royle 1996-97 Wed Mar 5 1997 Prem A Soton D 2-2 (Ferguson D, Speed G)J Royle 1995-96 Sat Feb 3 1996 Prem A Soton D 2-2 (Stuart G, Horne B)M Walker 1994-95 Sat Oct 8 1994 Prem A Soton L 0-2H Kendall 1993-94 Sat Aug 14 1993 Prem A Soton W 2-0 (Beagrie P, Ebbrell J)H Kendall 1992-93 Sat Apr 17 1993 Prem A Soton D 0-0 Max Wilson 38 Posted 19/12/2014 at 09:28:58 Colin – the Everton epoch you refer to was even worse if you were a Toffee gone south. Loads of us got our diplomas/degrees up in the Pool and then filled our hankerchiefs, tied them to a pole and went down to the Smoke in search of successs. When we got there, in 72, every game seemed to be a humiliation. We used to meet each other in agreed pubs and get wellied first. And the London crowds took the piss big time. Phil Walling 39 Posted 19/12/2014 at 10:37:02 Tosh Johnson or Jimmy Dunn ring a bell, Harold ? My grandad's favourites from that era. Dave Abrahams 40 Posted 19/12/2014 at 10:49:06 Phil Walling, yes Everton under Catterick were really that good, excellent in fact.No you don't need counselling watching the present team, but if they carry on playing like the way they are you will, either that or be carried out screaming with me right behind you they are doing my head in. Dave Abrahams 41 Posted 19/12/2014 at 11:13:25 Harold (33), the player your granddad raved about might have been Critchly or Coulter, wingers.I never saw them, I'm younger than you but remember the names although they might not be the players you are thinking of. Dave Abrahams 42 Posted 19/12/2014 at 11:24:06 Neil Davies, Ball's goal was the best of the eight.I'm also sure that on the same day Everton won that game,Ted McDougall scored nine goals in an FA Cup match for Bournemouth against Margate, he later went to Man Utd. Add Your Comments In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site. » Log in now Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site. About these ads © ToffeeWeb